Abstract: An image processing method and an apparatus relate to the field of image processing and add a diffuse reflection effect to a projection image in real time and reduce a calculation volume of adding the diffuse reflection effect. The method includes obtaining a first image that includes a diffuse reflection object, where the first image is an image obtained when the diffuse reflection object is illuminated by a light source, obtaining a mask image corresponding to the diffuse reflection object, obtaining orientation information of a terminal and obtaining a second image based on the orientation information, the first image, and the mask image, where the second image is an image that includes the diffuse reflection object and a diffuse reflection effect and that is generated by superposing the first image and the mask image moved based on the orientation information.

Abstract: Flow valve including a casing containing an electromagnetic assembly for detecting a magnetic field. The electromagnetic assembly is fixed to a pendulum suspended by an articulation from a plate of the casing. The casing contains a liquid for damping the movements of the pendulum. The pendulum includes a surface opposite the articulation which has a spherical cap shape and which extends facing a wall of the casing of complementary shape, defining a space having dimensions suitable for producing a laminar rolling of the damping liquid between them when the pendulum is in motion.

Abstract: Components of an unmanned undersea vehicle are inspired by jellyfish that uses its flexible body and tilt sensing to achieve efficient swimming and turning. A tilt sensor, based on a statocyst, has a metal ball in a chamber lined with resistors. The tilt is sensed in accordance with which resistors the ball contacts. A composition of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with ferritin particles dispersed therein mimics the qualities of a jellyfish's mesoglea.

Abstract: An orientation sensor includes a measure of ferrofluid that moves as the orientation sensor moves. The movement of the ferrofluid, which lies over a number of coils, alters the magnetic permeability of the flux path around each coil. The orientation sensor determines a change in orientation by measuring a change in the voltage across each coil. The voltage across each coil changes as the inductance changes which, in turn, changes as the magnetic permeability of the flux path changes.

Abstract: A device and method for quickly and accurately leveling a surface in either the horizontal or vertical plane while not in proximity to the surface being leveled. The device comprises a rigid base designed to be places on any surface to be leveled, inclinometer circuitry used to determine the position of the rigid base relative to level or plumb, wireless circuitry used to transmit the results of the inclinometer to a remotely transportable unit containing a digital display used to read the results of the inclinometer reading.

Abstract: A gradiometer is disclosed which has a pair of sensor bars 41, 43 supported in housings 45, 47. Transducers 71 are located adjacent the bars 41, 43 to detect movement of the bars in response to the gravity gradient tensor. At least one of the transducers 71 comprises a first coil 510 and a second coil 516 arranged in parallel and a switch 362 for proportioning current between the coils 510 and 516 so as to create a virtual coil at a position D between the coils 510 and 516.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a housing and a gimballed support structure with at least one actuator. The gravity gradiometer further comprises at least one sensor mass arranged for movement in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer also comprises a transducer that is arranged so that the movement of the at least one sensor mass relative to a portion of the transducer generates a transducer signal. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises an electrical feedback loop arranged to direct an electrical signal to the actuator of the external support structure. The gravity gradiometer is arranged so that an influence of an external angular acceleration on the rotation of the housing is reduced by the actuator when the transducer generates a transducer signal effected by the external angular acceleration on the gravity gradiometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer which comprises at least one sensor mass suspended by a coupling which enables movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis in response to a gravity gradient. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises at least one transducer for generating an electrical signal in response to the movement of the at least one sensor mass relative to a component of the transducer and for influencing the movement of the at least one sensor mass. The gravity gradiometer also comprises electrical circuitry for receiving the electrical signal from the at least one transducer and for directing an actuating signal to the at least one transducer so that in use the at least one transducer functions as sensor and actuator.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has sensor masses in the forms of bars 41 and 43 arranged orthogonal to one another and transducers for providing an output signal indicative of movement of the bars in response to changes in the gravity gradient tensor. The transducers are formed from thin film structure having a first layer forming a fine pitch coil 510 and a second layer forming a coarse pitch coil 511. The layers are separated by an insulating layer. The coarse pitch coil 511 forms a transformer for stepping up the current flowing through the fine pitch coil 510 and the coarse pitch coil 511 supplies current to a SQUID device 367.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a pair of sensor bars 41, 42 mounted in housings 43 and 45. Transducers 71 are located adjacent the bars for measuring movement of the bars in response to the gravity gradient tensor. Signals from the transducers are supplied to a SQUID device 367 for processing the signals. A connector is supplied for connecting the circuitry to external equipment which comprises a container 560 having a feed through filter 564, a three terminal cap 565, a relay 566 and an output terminal. The output terminal is connected to further RF attenuation which comprises a second connector 5b having parallel inductors and resistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises at least one sensor mass for movement in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer also comprises a pivotal coupling enabling the movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises a plurality of capacitors. Each capacitor has first and second capacitor elements positioned opposite each other so that a gap is defined between respective first and second capacitor elements. The capacitors are arranged so that movement of the at least one sensor mass results in a change in the gap between respective first and second capacitor elements. At least one of the capacitor elements has at least two separate capacitor portions arranged so that separate voltages can be applied to the capacitor portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises at least one sensor mass for movement in response to a gravity gradient and a pivotal coupling enabling the movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises a constant charge capacitor that is arranged so that the movement of the at least one sensor mass generates a change in a voltage across the constant charge capacitor.

Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has sensor masses in the forms of bars 41 and 43 arranged orthogonal to one another and transducers for providing an output signal indicative of movement of the bars in response to changes in the gravity gradient tensor. The transducers are formed from thin film structure having a first layer forming a fine pitch coil 510 and a second layer forming a coarse pitch coil 511. The layers are separated by an insulating layer. The coarse pitch coil 511 forms a transformer for stepping up the current flowing through the fine pitch coil 510 and the coarse pitch coil 511 supplies current to a SQUID device 367.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises at least one sensor mass for movement in response to a gravity gradient and a pivotal coupling enabling the movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises a constant charge capacitor that is arranged so that the movement of the at least one sensor mass generates a change in a voltage across the constant charge capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tuning properties of a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises a pair of first and second transversely arranged sensor masses that are arranged for movement about an axis and relative to each other in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer further comprises first and second capacitors for sensing and influencing the movement of the first and second sensor masses. The method comprising applying a bias voltage to at least one of the capacitors for generating an electrostatic force which acts on one of the sensor masses and thereby influences the movement of that sensor mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity gradiometer for measuring components of the gravity gradient tensor. The gravity gradiometer comprises at least one sensor mass for movement in response to a gravity gradient. The gravity gradiometer also comprises a pivotal coupling enabling the movement of the at least one sensor mass about an axis. Further, the gravity gradiometer comprises a plurality of capacitors. Each capacitor has first and second capacitor elements positioned opposite each other so that a gap is defined between respective first and second capacitor elements. The capacitors are arranged so that movement of the at least one sensor mass results in a change in the gap between respective first and second capacitor elements. At least one of the capacitor elements has at least two separate capacitor portions arranged so that separate voltages can be applied to the capacitor portions.

Abstract: A tilt sensor having a printed circuit board disposed in a direction normal to a reference plane for measuring a tilt angle with a pair of electrodes formed on a first surface of the printed circuit board. A cover is affixed to the printed circuit board and creates a cavity between the cover and the printed circuit board with a predetermined gap between the cover and the pair of electrodes, the cover acting as a common electrode to the pair of electrodes to create a pair of capacitors. An inert liquid is contained in the cavity, the surface level of the inert fluid varying according to the tilt angle of the reference plane. A signal processing circuit is formed on a second surface of the printed circuit board that produces an output signal corresponding to a difference in capacitance between the two capacitors as a tilt angle detection output.

Abstract: An orientation sensor includes variable resistance elements within the sensor, the variable resistance elements forming an electric circuit with a conductive ball or drop of conductive material. The resistance of the electric circuit uniquely identifies the orientation of the apparatus. A method of determining the orientation of an apparatus includes measuring the resistance of a circuit completed between two conductive members in the apparatus, and determining the position of a freely movable conductive member in the apparatus from the measured resistance.

Abstract: Inclination measurement apparatus includes an indexable clinometer bearing turntable rotatable in a single plane between a pair of precisely reproducible diametrically opposite orientations with respect to the desired measurement axis for respectively issuing inclination measurements V0 and V180 responsive to the inclination of a surface with respect to a desired measurement axis, and a reference clinometer for enabling uninterrupted accurate bias corrected inclination measurements of the inclination of the surface with respect to the desired measurement axis by virtue of its inclination measurements being employed for calculating bias corrected inclination measurements.

Abstract: An orientation sensor includes variable resistance elements within the sensor, the variable resistance elements forming an electric circuit with a conductive ball or drop of conductive material. The resistance of the electric circuit uniquely identifies the orientation of the apparatus. A method of determining the orientation of an apparatus includes measuring the resistance of a circuit completed between two conductive members in the apparatus, and determining the position of a freely movable conductive member in the apparatus from the measured resistance.

Abstract: An inclinometer comprising a spherical mass, a spherical shell having a reference axis and surrounding said spherical mass and a plurality of electrodes mounted on the spherical inner surface of said spherical shell, said inclinometer applied to detect the inclination angle of said reference axis by the output signal of said electrodes.

Abstract: To provide an electrostatic capacitor-type sensor that does not require regulation such as zero-point adjustment and temperature compensation, etc. A pair of semi-circular differential electrodes are positioned next to each other in the vertical direction with a common electrode arranged so as to face the differential electrodes, with a fixed gap therebetween. The pair of differential electrodes and the common electrode are housed within an airtight container, and a dielectric fluid is sealed within the airtight container. The differential electrode on an upper side and the common electrode form an upper variable capacitor, and the differential electrode on the lower side and the common electrode form a lower variable capacitor.

Abstract: To provide an electrostatic capacitor-type sensor that does not require regulation such as zero-point adjustment and temperature compensation, etc. A pair of semi-circular differential electrodes are positioned next to each other in the vertical direction with a common electrode arranged so as to face the differential electrodes, with a fixed gap therebetween. The pair of differential electrodes and the common electrode are housed within an airtight container, and a dielectric fluid is sealed within the airtight container. The differential electrode on an upper side and the common electrode form an upper variable capacitor, and the differential electrode on the lower side and the common electrode form a lower variable capacitor.